Over-all locking device for caps

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to locking device for locking caps upon the filling necks of tanks, the primary use being for securing the caps of motor vehicle gas tanks in place to prevent theft of fuel. It is a locking device consisting of a cylindrical body member, having a cup-like form, terminating in a two-part inwardly extending collar. The device is designed so that the inwardly extending collar portion may bypass the tank cap as the device is installed or removed and yet be locked so as to prevent installation or removal. The two inwardly extending collar members are disposed in overlaying relationship and held together on one end by means of a rivet so as to render one collar member pivotally movable, both having on their opposite ends an aligned aperture to register affording passage of the shackle of a suitable locking mechanism therethrough. With the device in locked position, locking a cap upon the filling neck of a tank, and the shackle of a locking mechanism in said registering apertures, the shackle is holding also the end of a flexible, theftproof ligament connecting the lock mechanism to a part of the vehicle body other than the over-all locking device, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

United States Patent [1 1 Mulberry 1451 Sept. 4, 1973 OVER-ALL LOCKING DEVICE FOR CAPS [76] inventor: Lorence H. Mulberry, 59 S. Wilson,

Mount Clemens, Mich. 48043 [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 118,823

[52] U.S. Cl 70/164, 70/232, 215/98 [51] Int. Cl 865d 55/14 [58] Field of Search 70/158, 159, 163,

70/164, 166, 232, 416, DIG. 58; 215/98; 292/DlG. 2; 339/37 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 173,061 2/1876 Robards 215/98 600,055 3/1898 Adler 215/98 940,125 11/1909 Bryan 215/98 1,897,185 2/1933 Bruning 70/164 2,785,564 3/1957 Rossi 70/232 2,791,898 5/1957 Pegg et a1. 70/258 X 3,206,955 9/1965 Horovitz..... 70/163 8,274,809 9/1966 Kozlowski... 70/163 Primary Examiner--Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-Paul K. Preisler I n a I a a I l I g i I I i n III... W C

[57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to locking device for locking caps upon the filling necks of tanks, the primary use being for securing the caps of motor vehicle gas tanks in place to prevent theft of fuel. It is a locking device consisting of a cylindrical body member, having a cup-like form, terminating in a two-part inwardly extending collar. The device is designed so that the inwardly extending collar portion may bypass the tank cap as the device is installed or removed and yet be locked so as to prevent installation or removal. The two inwardly extending collar members are disposed in overlaying relationship and held together on one end by means of a rivet so as to render one collar member pivotally movable, both having on their opposite ends an aligned aperture to register affording passage of the shackle of a suitable locking mechanism therethrough. With the device in locked position, locking a cap upon the filling neck of a tank, and the shackle of a locking mechanism in said registering apertures, the shackle is holding also the end of a flexible, theftproof ligament connecting the lock mechanism to a part of the vehicle body other than the over-all locking device, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures 1 OVER-ALL LOCKING DEVICE FOR CAPS The present invention relates to a locking device for locking caps upon the filling necks of tanks, the primary use being for securing the caps of motor vehicle gas tanks in place to prevent theft of fuel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, strong, noiseless, safe, and inexpensive locking device for caps, one that is efficient, long-lasting and easy to operate.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawing, forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the locking device upon the filling neck of a fuel tank in locked position;

FIG. 2 is the top plan view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the cylindrical body member;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, I have indicated a motor vehicle fuel tank 16, and my novel device securely locked in position to the top of the filling neck 26 of the fuel tank 16. A flexible, theftproof ligament 32, shown for example as a chain, is held on the one end by the shackle of a locking mechanism 30, shown for example as a padlock, and is fastened with the other end to a part of the vehicle body 34, other than the locking device 10, said locking mechanism 30 registering passage with its shackle through the aligned apertures 36 of both collar members 20 and 22, preventing locking device 10 from turning or being turned by an unauthorized person.

All members of the device 10 are made of a tough material, such as metal, except for the sponge-like, fuel and acid resistant cushion pad 18 which is housed inside body member 12. When device 10 is in locked position, locking tank cap 24 upon tank filling neck 26, the inside surface of the top of the body member 12 is pressing down upon pad 18, and pad 18 in turn is pressing down upon tank cap 24, cushioning the locking device 10, and holding it noiseless and safe from frictionsparks in place while the vehicle is in operation.

With collar member 20 permanently fastened into recess 12A of the body member 12, the other collar member 22 is fastened to one end of collar member 20 by means of a rivet 28, rendering collar member 22 pivotally movable. Collar member 20 and collar member 22 are inwardly extending so that the inwardly extending portion of both collar members may bypass the tank cap 24 as the device 10 is installed upon filling neck 26 or removed from it and yet be locked so as to prevent installation or removal. The two-part inwardly extending collar, part 20 and part 22, when in locked position upon cap 24 and filling neck 26, is fitting around the tank filling neck 26 and securely stationed under the tank cap 24, with both collar members 20 and 22 disposed in an overlaying relationship, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

As an article of manufacture, it will be understood that the present invention may be applied as an accessory to motor vehicle gas tanks or other tanks, and that it may be operated simply by manual means.

I-Iaving described my invention, attention is invited to the fact that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letter Patent is as follows:

1. A locking device for locking a cap upon the filling neck of a tank, comprising a cup-like, cylindrical body member which terminates in a two-part inwardly extending collar, the ends of the collar parts being disposed in an overlaying relationship, one of the collar parts being movable so that the inwardly extending portion of both collar parts may bypass the tank cap as the device is installed or removed and yet underlie the peripheral portion thereof to prevent removal, and means for lockably securing the movable collar part against movement. 

1. A locking device for locking a cap upon the filling neck of a tank, comprising a cup-like, cylindrical body member which terminates in a two-part inwardly extending collar, the ends of the collar parts being disposed in an overlaying relationship, one of the collar parts being movable so that the inwardly extending portion of both collar parts may bypass the tank cap as the device is installed or removed and yet underlie the peripheral portion thereof to prevent removal, and means for lockably securing the movable collar part against movement. 